As Rachel Edidin has pointed out, few things in geek culture are more toxic than the “Fake Nerd Girl” meme—something that Portlandia is either blissfully oblivious of or blissfully unconcerned about. Their new “Nerd PSA” sketch (thanks, Gizmodo) ignores the issues surrounding the meme and instead jumps in to say, “Hey, real nerds are awkward, right?” Which, I don’t know, is true in some cases? Just like some people in any self-identified group are awkward?
One thing is for sure: This is definitely a comedy sketch about how the word “nerd” has changed from defining one’s place in the social hierarchy to defining the sorts of things that one consumes. Or something? Look. IT MAKES MY HEAD HURT. On principle, this sketch is lazy and (unintentionally?) sexist; in practice, I find it kind of touching and sweet. But oblivious.
Wheee! It’s Portlandia, a show that never really says anything but kind of thinks it does! (Kind of like this blog post.)
I want this sketch to assume human form so I can punch it in the face.
I didn’t hate that. Pushing boundaries? Delving deep? Saying something original? No, but definitely above the bar for your typical Portlandia sketch.
Yes, thank you. Sort of touching and sweet but misogynist.
WTF? So it didn’t bring up your pet cause, ergo sucks? Now that is a Portlandia moment.
The problem with emphasizing the misogyny of the idiot nerd girl meme is that it relies on a nasty stereotype of true nerds. Misogyny is a problem– but in “reality”, and not just in fantasy WoW circles, or whatever you use to define a nerd. Nerds I’ve met are a diverse group and don’t deserve to be slandered like Edidin does. (reading “a culture that regularly responds to criticism from women with flurries of rape threats”– I don’t know ANY nerds who do this. Maybe she means “Nerds from a Particular Suburb of Phoenix on February 13, 1987” or something, i don’t know)
The sketch reveals the tragedy of the true nerd– and tragedy is humor, which Richard Pryor (among others) taught us so well. Outside of the bubble of the Atlantic Wire– which purportedly is telling us “what matters now” by publishing Edidin’s accusatory nerd stereotypes– is it misogynist? No, but it’s painfully funny.